Robin Roberts, the anchor of Good Morning America, will take a break from the show to support her partner while she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
Roberts announced her decision in a video on Twitter on Thursday.
“My sweet Amber wanted me to tell you something that she’s been facing. At the end of last year, Amber was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Roberts said. “She had surgery last month and this morning will begin chemotherapy.”
“She and I have been together almost 17 years and have helped each other through our challenges like my journey with cancer. It’s my turn now to be there for her like she was for me,” Roberts added. “And that means I’ll be way from GMA from time to time like this morning as she starts chemo.”
Roberts, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, ended her speech with words of encouragement for others going through difficult times.
“We know many, many are facing cancer and other challenges—like my mama said, ‘Everybody’s got something,’” Roberts concluded. “Please know that you are in our prayers and hopefully we’re in yours, too.”
Laign’s “prognosis is good,” according to Roberts.
While Roberts fought cancer five years later, she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare bone marrow disorder. It was reported in the news. She took a break from the show at the time to have surgery for a bone marrow donation from her sister, Sally-Ann Roberts.
According to USA Today, Robert’s transplant operation took place ten years ago in September. When she celebrated her fifth anniversary with friends and family on the show, Laign was by her side.
“If you exercise, go to the gym, find a yoga studio,” Laign said at the time. “Do something so you can just release all of this energy that you have built up from being around and being the giver and giving, giving, giving.”
